Have your say on the broadcasting codes—get involved! | ACMA

Have your say on the broadcasting codes—get involved!

ACMA media release 36/2013 - 3 June

An issues paper (PDF | Word) asking if broadcasting regulation is keeping up with the rapid changes in society has been released today by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

The ACMA wants to hear from citizens and industry participants about what should be included in contemporary broadcasting codes of practice (the rules around what you see and hear on radio and TV).

The ACMA recently launched the Contemporary community safeguards inquiry to establish the core principles that should guide the broadcasting industry’s development of its own codes around content. It includes important components like factual accuracy, balance and fairness, privacy, classification, decency and advertising.

‘This is a groundbreaking opportunity for people to get involved and make sure their views are heard,’ said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman.

‘We feel the time has come to take a “first principles” look at what contemporary codes of practice really need to address. We also want to know how community attitudes may be changing in relation to these components,’ Mr Chapman said.

The Contemporary community safeguards inquiry issues paper underscores the imperative that Australia’s broadcasting codes of practice keep pace with changing community expectations and changing broadcasting business models. The ACMA is inviting public submissions to the paper by mid-July 2013.

The ACMA is also holding a series of Citizen conversations throughout June on topics related to the issues paper. These are free events and will be held at the ACMA’s Sydney office, and will be webcast nationally.

Facilitators and panellists will include media commentators, representatives from most of the TV and radio networks, as well as industry and academia.

More information about the inquiry and how to register can be found here. A video about the inquiry can be seen here. Media is free to use this video.